looked professional.
She didn’t want to question the sudden need to stand out. That would force her to think about the aggravating man she’d met last night. John Davis had irritated her more than anyone she’d ever met. Especially when she remembered that her bank, quite a large institution, had backed several of his recent projects.
Of course, he hadn’t recognized her, because she wasn’t involved in loans. So he wouldn’t know how to get in touch with her. And that was for the best.
She dressed in a pearl-gray suit with a silk blouse in silvery tones. It was one of her favorite outfits, and she needed her spirits lifted.
When she reached the bank, she was her normal quiet self, calm and pleasant. Her blond hair was pinned back neatly, the only nod to femininity her discreet silver earrings.
Once she was seated behind her desk, Diane relaxed and began her normal routine. She loved her job and understood how important it was for her customers.
In fact, today she was taking one of her clients to lunch. Mrs. Winthrop was a dear. Her husband had made a fortune, but since his death ten years ago Mrs. Winthrop had been relying on Diane to keep the fortune intact so as to provide for her grandchildren.
Diane was making sure that she didn’t invest the woman’s money in any risky stocks. She wanted the same thing as Mrs. Winthrop.
In fact, she had some projections to run before lunch. It was time to focus on the people who mattered.
And get her mind off John Davis.
OKAY, SO THE ARRIVAL of morning hadn’t removed Diane Black from his mind. John dressed for work, thinking about the woman who’d rejected him last evening. But it wasn’t because she’d dumped him. About midnight he’d finally admitted that he’d brought that rejection on himself. He’d been arrogant.
He’d complimented women all his life. It was how he got around them, got them to do what he wanted. But he’d been angry last night. He’d tried to force her to his will. And been irritated when she hadn’t done as he’d wanted.
Guilt had washed through him when he realized it. He felt like an insensitive clod stomping on a delicate flower. He wanted to apologize.
So, after he reached his office, he took out a phone book and began calling all the small banks, asking for a VP named Diane Black. By lunchtime, he’d had no luck. Had she lied to him?
If she had, it was his fault. He’d made it impossible for her to admit to having a lowly position.
Maybe his personal banker would know where Diane was. He was having lunch with Mark Golan today to discuss a new project for which he needed funding.
While he’d always handled his projects successfully, John wanted to be sure he had all his ducks in a row. So he put Diane from his mind and gathered up the various drawings and charts for his presentation. That was one thing he had learned from his father—to be the consummate professional. His personal life might be a wreck, but not his business life.
Which meant his father had the money to pay for all his mistakes, in the form of alimony for each of his three former wives. John’s mother, his dad’s first wife, had died when John was a little boy.
He had no intention of repeating his father’s mistakes. He wouldn’t be turned by a pretty face, which were a dime a dozen for a wealthy man. Too many women looked for a meal ticket they could marry.
He shook his head. Time to clear his mind from thoughts of Diane or his father. He needed to concentrate on business.
He met Mark at a nearby restaurant. Over lunch they talked about sports and mutual acquaintances. John knew the drill. He wouldn’t talk about his project until they arrived back at Guaranty National Bank, the largest and most respected financial institution in the Dallas area.
As he stepped into Mark Golan’s office, impeccably appointed to befit a VP, he began organizing his thoughts in his head. He didn’t want to make any mistakes in his presentation.
An hour later, after his pitch, it was with relief that he heard the bank’s decision—approval of the loan he wanted to finance the work. He was surprised to find Diane returning to his thoughts almost immediately. How had she gotten such control over his mind?
“John, you did a great presentation,” Mark said after the senior members had left his office. “You made us both look good.”
“Glad to hear it. You’ve always been good to me, Mark. I wouldn’t want to let you down.”
“It’s mutual. If I can ever do anything for you, just let me know.”
“Well, there is something….” John tried to affect a casual attitude. “You pretty much know most of the banking community, don’t you?”
“Sure. I’ve worked at a couple of different banks, plus we’re all members of a professional group. Are you looking for someone? I hope you’re not thinking of leaving me,” he joked.
“No, of course not. But I met someone who said she was a VP in charge of investments. I figured she meant in a small bank. After all, I don’t think you have too many female bankers.”
Mark’s eyebrows rose. “Careful, buddy. You sound way out of touch with today’s world if you think that way.”
“Really? How many female bankers do you have?”
“I believe we’re up to fourteen now, including a VP in charge of investments.”
John froze. Then he cleared his throat. “Don’t tell me her name is Diane Black?”
Chapter Two
“How’d you know?” Mark sounded skeptical.
“I, uh, recently met her and wanted to—to see her again.” Damn it, when was the last time he’d stuttered, talking about a woman? It must’ve been twenty years ago, when he was twelve and had a crush on Darlene Carey in the seventh grade.
Mark looked upset. “Oh, no! You’re going to cost me my job. You keep away from Diane.”
“What are you talking about?” John demanded.
Though only thirty-four, Mark sounded every bit the wise old sage when he said, “John, you’re a great businessman, but you cut a wide swath through the women in Dallas. Even us staid bankers know how often you change girlfriends. And you never offer them marriage.”
“No, I don’t. I’m not my father!”
“I didn’t mean to imply you were, John. But don’t mess with Diane. She’s not your type and I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I’m not going to hurt her. I just want to visit with her for a few minutes. Surely you can’t object to that.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to visit with her?”
“If you must know, I was rude to her last night over
